Individual therapy complements medical practice and aims to psychologically improve the mental well-being of patients, specifically, in terms of self-understanding and positive adjustment. Therapists most commonly use an eclectic approach in therapy to cater to all individual needs. Schools of therapy approaches include but are not limited to cognitive-behavioural, supportive, person-centred, and solution-focused strategies.
Individual Therapy
Related Programs
Care We Provide
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
- Metacognitive therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Patient Information
The first session of therapy often focuses on gathering information. A therapist speaks with the person in treatment about their past physical, mental, and emotional health. They also discuss the concerns bringing the person to therapy. It can take a few sessions for a therapist to have a good understanding of the situation. Only then can they address concerns and determine the best course of action.
FAQ's
What Does Individual Therapy Focus On?
Individual therapy focuses on the individual’s personal goals. Here are some examples of individual therapy goals:
- I want to feel better about myself.
- I want to break a cycle and quit making the same mistakes.
- I want to feel less depressed or anxious.
- I want to become better at tolerating stress and frustration.
- I want to find more meaning in my life.
It’s often the case that current problems can sometimes be a gateway to exploring longer-standing patterns in your life. In general, some therapists recommend therapy for at least six months in order to effectively treat any acute symptoms as well as explore any chronic ones that may be occurring.
Therapists are skilled at helping clients discover their own motivation and ability to effect real, long-term change. Studies show that the therapeutic process is most effective when it’s based on a strong alliance between counselor/therapist and client. This means that the client feels safe, supported, heard, and understood. The client feels that their therapist shares their goals and has their best interests at heart.
Though there are common focuses for therapy clients, the goals for individual therapy are between you and your therapist. They’re going to be unique to you, and they’re probably going to change as you go.
What Does Individual Therapy Include? Characteristics of Individual Counseling
Many types of therapy, including cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, integrative therapy, and the others listed above, are included in individual therapy on a varying basis — depending on the condition being treated, the specialization of the provider, and the personality of the client.
Great therapy is often flexible and integrative, moving from one type or approach to another as the session demands. Just because a particular intervention doesn’t have the support of decades of empirical research, it doesn’t mean it won’t work for a client.
How Is Individual Therapy Beneficial?
One of the primary benefits of individual counseling is realizing that, in life, you have choices. You can change.
We humans tend to get caught up in our same-old patterns of thinking and behaving. We assume that we can maintain these learned patterns because they’ve worked for us in the past. They’re safe and familiar, while change is scary and uncertain. But therapists can hold up a compassionate mirror to their clients and help them see who they are, and who they’re capable of becoming. They can observe the old patterns that might not be serving you anymore and help you evolve.
Naturally, the therapeutic process can be emotionally painful at times. It can be exhausting. It can be hard work. But it’s hard work with a huge payoff. It’s often necessary to become fully aware of your feelings in order to have a healthier relationship with yourself. Therapy is a safe place to feel…everything. After all, when we hide from our pain, it tends to surface elsewhere, usually in unhealthy ways.